JOM

, Volume 59, Issue 4, pp 20–26 | Cite as

Space fission reactor structural materials: Choices past, present, and future

  • J. T. Busby
  • K. J. Leonard
Overview Materials Issues in Advanced Nuclear Systems
First Online:

Abstract

Nuclear powered spacecraft will enable missions well beyond the capabilities of current chemical, radioisotope thermoelectric generator and solar technologies. The use of fission reactors for space applications has been studied for over 50 years. Structural material performance has often limited the potential performance of space reactors. Space fission reactors are an extremely harsh environment for structural materials with high temperatures, high neutron fields, potential contact with liquid metals, and the need for up to 15–20 year reliability with no inspection or preventative maintenance. Many different structural materials have been proposed. While all of those proposed meet many of the requirements for space reactor service, none satisfy all of them. However, continued development and testing may resolve these issues and provide qualified materials for fission reactors for space power.

Keywords

Austenitic Stainless Steel Reactor Design Space Reactor Thermal Creep Reactor Application 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer 2007

Authors and Affiliations

  • J. T. Busby
    • 1
  • K. J. Leonard
    • 1
  1. 1.Materials Science and Technology DivisionOak Ridge National LaboratoryOak RidgeUSA

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